We are just a few days away from the European Judo Championships Juniors Tallinn 2024 and with that the anticipation of the final outcome is growing by the minute. Last year, six nations won at least one gold medal at the junior Europeans, three of them dominating the event: Georgia, Italy and the Netherlands. This year, there are hopes of a wider distribution of victorious performances. Day one will showcase the women’s -48kg / -52kg/ -57kg as well as the men’s -60kg / -66kg.
Amongst the latter, Nizami Imranov (AZE) reigning junior European champion and junior world silver medallist will seek to retain his title in the -60kg category. However, he could face a few challenges with the likes of 2022 junior European champion, Ksawery Ignasiak (POL). Also in the mix up-and-coming Izhak Ashpiz (ISR) who had won the cadet Europeans back in July this year. Can he repeat his success in Sofia and shock the crowd in Tallinn? In the -66kg category, everything should go according to plan and the podium could well be shared by the top four seeds: Valerio Accogli (ITA), Jochem Van Harten (NED), Alessio De Luca (ITA) and Gabor Aron (HUN). Accogli is no stranger to medals in Estonia, having won a European Open silver medal in Tallinn last year.
On the women’s side, Marta Beorlegui Oses (ESP) won the European cadet title in the -44kg category last year. This week she will be competing in the -48kg category and, despite her previous successes, it won’t be easy for her to keep up with the elite in this weight category, especially with her team-mate Aitana Diaz Hernandez (ESP) as the top seed. Both Morgane Annie (FRA) and Laura Borden (ROU) have made good progress in this year’s junior European cups and will be strong contenders for a medal over. Britain’s top-ranked junior in the Tallinn is also in this weight class, namely, Summer Shaw (GBR). It appears that Beorlegui Oses has a lot to overcome to increase Spain’s chances of doubling their medal tally in this category.
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The -52kg category will also host a former cadet European champions who is in the process of developing and establishing herself in the junior ranks. Alyssa Poulange (FRA) is the one and she will be unseeded in Tallinn, which can add to the difficulties, especially with the likes of Micaela Sciacovelli (ITA) who is already well entrenched with her third place at the junior World Championships in 2023. It is therefore no surprise that she is the top seed in this category. Her team-mate Giulia Carna (ITA), the reigning junior European champion and junior world silver medallist in the -52kg category, will be unseeded in the division above. Instead, Kinga Chmielewska (POL) is currently the highest ranked junior European judoka in the -57kg category.
The first day of the event is scheduled to start at 10:00am local time (GMT +2). Follow all the action live online at judotv.com.
Author: Szandra Szogedi